Credit: Sabetha Fire Dept

(KMZA)--As a winter storm approaches for the weekend, local emergency officials are urging residents to prepare and stay safe.

A social media post from the Sabetha Fire Department sends the reminder that bad weather can delay emergency response times. Officials ask residents to call as soon as possible if they have an emergency.

The department is also reminding the public to make sure smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms are working properly, especially as colder temperatures increase the use of heating equipment.